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Paranoid Android shows off multi-tasking functionality [video]

Multi-tasking on small devices can be a hassle usually resulting in flipping backwards and forwards between various apps. That is unless you’re device has some more advanced built-in multitasking functionality like Samsung’s split screen option available in the Premium Suite or the CyanogenMod/Google pop-out notifications.

But Paranoid Android aims to take multi-tasking on smartphones and tablets up a notch, by building an all new in-app, multiple-window approach to the problem. In fact the developers really don’t care very much for the current implementations from their rivals, they had this to say about the state of multi-tasking:

“We think these [Samsung, Cyanogen & Cornerstone] implementations suck and we want to get it right this time. If what we have in mind will pan out, minds will be blown.”

Pretty blunt and boastful stuff, so how does Paranoid Android’s version work and is it really any better than the competing ideas?

Well from what we’ve seen so far, at this stage an additional window pops-out from a prompt in the notification menu. But unlike other notification pop-up based systems, Paranoid Android’s seems to keep full functionality available rather than just providing a slimmed down version of the app; see Google’s SMS reply from a notification idea for example.

On top of that, other applications remain running constantly in the foreground and background, allowing users to quickly tap back to something else if they need to. The layout also makes the best possible use of the limited screen space, rather than Samsung’s split screen which chops the available space in half.

You can check out the video below for a demonstration of the updated ROM in action, which supposedly doesn’t even show off even 10% of the functionality.

Lead Technical Writer at Android Authority, covering the latest trends in consumer electronics and hardware. In his spare moments, you'll probably find him tinkering with audio electronics and programming.